Legal Protection for Victims of Electronic-Based Sexual Violence (EBSV) in Palembang City

Abstract

Electronic-Based Sexual Violence (EBSV) has emerged alongside the expanding use of social media and digital technologies, with the non-consensual dissemination of sexual content potentially causing physical, psychological, social, and legal consequences for victims. Despite existing legal provisions, the effective protection of EBSV victims continues to face regulatory and implementation challenges. This study aims to examine the legal framework governing EBSV in Indonesia, identify forms of legal protection available to EBSV victims in Palembang City, and analyze the legal liability of social media platforms and mechanisms for resolving cases involving the dissemination of EBSV content. The study employed a normative legal method supported by empirical data obtained through direct interviews with relevant stakeholders, using both primary and secondary legal sources. The findings indicate that EBSV is explicitly regulated under Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes; however, further harmonization and synchronization with the Criminal Code, the Pornography Law, and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law remain necessary. In Palembang City, victim protection is implemented through preventive and repressive measures, including public education, cyber patrols, protection of victims’ identities, legal assistance, psychological and medical support, safe houses, and content takedown mechanisms. The findings further indicate that social media platforms may incur criminal and administrative liability under certain circumstances. The study concludes that the effectiveness of EBSV victim protection depends not only on the adequacy of the legal framework but also on coordinated implementation, institutional capacity, and timely responses to harmful digital content. This study contributes to the legal discourse on EBSV by highlighting the need for stronger inter-institutional coordination, enhanced law enforcement capacity and public digital literacy, improved regulatory harmonization, and more responsive content removal mechanisms to strengthen legal protection for victims.